Obituary of Helen Margaret Smith

Helen M. Smith (Doheny) 1940-2023 The beautiful and most kindhearted Helen Margaret Smith, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Brooklyn to Nora and Patrick Doheny, of Cashel, Ireland in 1940. Helen attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and graduated in 1959. She then went on to Brooklyn College before starting her first job at Hanover Bank in Manhattan. She was the devoted wife of William Smith, the love of her life. They first met in 1959 at The O'Neill House in East Durham, NY and were married on September 30, 1961. Together they spent 62 years creating cherished memories and raising their family. She is survived by her beloved husband, William Smith, and their three daughters, Kara Radcliff and husband Jim of Clifton Park, NY; Nora Smith of Middletown, NJ; and Tricia Mavrides and husband Jason of Valatie, NY. Helen is also survived by her two sisters, Kathleen Moltzen of Warwick, NY and Sheila Doheny of Bronx, NY. Additionally, she leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Penelope, Shawn, Ryan, Ashleigh, Ella, Cecily, Estella, Alexandra, Austen, James, and William, as well as several nieces and nephews. Helen had lifelong friend Bonnie, special friend Aline and many other dear friends whom she adored. She was preceded by her parents, Nora and Patrick Doheny, her brother Edward Doheny, and her sisters Patricia Doheny, Maureen Hohne, and Eileen Fontaine. Aside from being a devoted mother to her 3 daughters, Helen loved her role as a grandmother and treasured the time spent with her grandchildren. She had a passion for travel, reading, and fashion, and possessed a beautiful talent for home decorating. Among the many places she has lived, her favorite was her home on Kinderhook Lake, where she created countless cherished memories. Helen also had a deep love for her pets, treating each and every one as the valuable family member they were. Helen enjoyed planning and hosting parties, and her Christmas celebrations were truly magical for her children and grandchildren. She also organized wonderful family reunions to keep the family close-knit. Helen never wanted to miss any parties or special occasions and thoroughly enjoyed attending them. She was deeply dedicated to her Irish heritage and her Catholic faith, which she instilled in her family. Friends and family are invited to call on Tuesday, September 12, from 5–7 pm and Wednesday, September 13, from 9:30-10:30 am at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, located at 1015 Kinderhook St, Valatie. A funeral mass will follow at St. John's the Baptist Church in Valatie at 11 am, with interment at St. John's Cemetery in Valatie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen's memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Helen's absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved her. Her kindness, love, and beautiful spirit will forever be remembered. May she rest in eternal peace.